The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) report Wind at Work – wind energy and job creation in the EU, predicts the number of wind energy jobs will reach 325,000 by 2020, more than double of the 154,000 jobs recorded in 2007.

On average, 12,047 new direct wind energy jobs have been created per year in the five-year period 2002-2007. In other words, 33 new people have been employed every day, seven days a week in the wind energy sector over the past five years.

According to the report, 15.1 jobs are created in the EU for every MW installed. In addition, 0.4 jobs are created per MW of cumulative capacity in operations and maintenance and other activities.

In terms of job profiles, the wind energy job report shows that turbine manufacturers are the main employers, with 37% of all direct jobs, followed by component manufacturers and project developers.

Where the Member States are concerned, 75% of all direct wind energy jobs are currently to be found in the three ‘pioneer’ countries of Denmark, Germany and Spain, but other countries, such as France, the UK and Italy are beginning to catch up.

“Wind at Work reveals the vast potential of the wind energy industry as a source of employment that can bring real long-term benefits to European economies” says Christian Kjaer, EWEA Chief Executive.